Last Modified: Friday, December 10, 2010 at 10:23 a.m.

Nicholls State freshman guard Dantrell Thomas had nine points in his first college start during Wednesday's game against Loyola-New Orleans.

Lisa Neal/Correspondent

But when Carter was scratched from the lineup because of an injury before Wednesday's game against Loyola-New Orleans, Colonels coach J.P. Piper turned to a true freshman.

And Dantrell Thomas rewarded Piper for his confidence.

In his first start as a college player, Thomas recorded nine points, nine assists, three rebounds (all offensive), two steals and a block.

The Colonels won, 75-41, but while the game was still close midway through the first half, Thomas' athleticism helped create turnovers that sparked a 14-0 run by Nicholls to end the first half ahead, 29-16.

"He has the ability to do that," Piper said of Thomas' game-changing plays. "We see it a lot more in practice than you've been able to see in the games. It's just a matter of him getting opportunities.

"I was not excited to lose Kellan (on Wednesday), but the more I thought about it, this was a good thing for Dantrell."

Thomas, listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, attended Many High School where he was a three-time Class 2A first-team all-state honoree.

So, the high school star enjoyed having success in his first college start.

"It felt good," Thomas said. "It wasn't normal, because I usually come off the bench and contribute to the team the best I can. I was surprised when Kellan wasn't going to be able to play."

As for any early jitters?

"Not really," Thomas said. "I just felt like I had to go out there and play my hardest. I came in, I got some defensive stops and it got me going."

Thomas' first impact against Loyola came on the offensive end.

With the Colonels struggling to beat the Wolfpack's defense, Thomas scored two-straight baskets on put backs following offensive rebounds.

Later in the half, Thomas blocked a shot that sparked the Colonels defense and then forced two turnovers, one ending in his own lay up and the other ending in a fastbreak dunk by Anatoly Bose.

"He looked a little tentative at first, a little nervous early in the game," Piper said. "A couple turnovers, but then he settled down and he really played well after that.

"We were struggling, and they had gotten us defensively. The guy got a good look, and (Thomas) came out of help side and blocked a shot, really sparked us. He has that ability to do that for us."

Thomas said, "I think I brought energy on defense. That's what we try to feed off of, our defense to get the offense flowing. I just tried to bring good defense to the team."

Thomas' contributions have increased with each game.

After shooting 0-for-9 in the first three games of the season, Thomas has gone 9-for-13 in the last three games, including a 3-for-3 night against Loyola.

But beyond Thomas's own scoring, Piper was excited about how the freshman set up his teammates to score.

"He had nine assists (against Loyola)," Piper said. "What a great teammate. The future is really, really bright for him."

<p>THIBODAUX — Over the past few seasons, senior guard Kellan Carter has been one of the most reliable players for the Nicholls State men's basketball team.</p><p>But when Carter was scratched from the lineup because of an injury before Wednesday's game against Loyola-New Orleans, Colonels coach J.P. Piper turned to a true freshman.</p><p>And Dantrell Thomas rewarded Piper for his confidence.</p><p>In his first start as a college player, Thomas recorded nine points, nine assists, three rebounds (all offensive), two steals and a block.</p><p>The Colonels won, 75-41, but while the game was still close midway through the first half, Thomas' athleticism helped create turnovers that sparked a 14-0 run by Nicholls to end the first half ahead, 29-16.</p><p>"He has the ability to do that," Piper said of Thomas' game-changing plays. "We see it a lot more in practice than you've been able to see in the games. It's just a matter of him getting opportunities.</p><p>"I was not excited to lose Kellan (on Wednesday), but the more I thought about it, this was a good thing for Dantrell."</p><p>Thomas, listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, attended Many High School where he was a three-time Class 2A first-team all-state honoree.</p><p>So, the high school star enjoyed having success in his first college start.</p><p>"It felt good," Thomas said. "It wasn't normal, because I usually come off the bench and contribute to the team the best I can. I was surprised when Kellan wasn't going to be able to play."</p><p>As for any early jitters?</p><p>"Not really," Thomas said. "I just felt like I had to go out there and play my hardest. I came in, I got some defensive stops and it got me going."</p><p>Thomas' first impact against Loyola came on the offensive end.</p><p>With the Colonels struggling to beat the Wolfpack's defense, Thomas scored two-straight baskets on put backs following offensive rebounds.</p><p>Later in the half, Thomas blocked a shot that sparked the Colonels defense and then forced two turnovers, one ending in his own lay up and the other ending in a fastbreak dunk by Anatoly Bose.</p><p>"He looked a little tentative at first, a little nervous early in the game," Piper said. "A couple turnovers, but then he settled down and he really played well after that. </p><p>"We were struggling, and they had gotten us defensively. The guy got a good look, and (Thomas) came out of help side and blocked a shot, really sparked us. He has that ability to do that for us."</p><p>Thomas said, "I think I brought energy on defense. That's what we try to feed off of, our defense to get the offense flowing. I just tried to bring good defense to the team."</p><p>Thomas' contributions have increased with each game.</p><p>After shooting 0-for-9 in the first three games of the season, Thomas has gone 9-for-13 in the last three games, including a 3-for-3 night against Loyola.</p><p>But beyond Thomas's own scoring, Piper was excited about how the freshman set up his teammates to score.</p><p>"He had nine assists (against Loyola)," Piper said. "What a great teammate. The future is really, really bright for him."</p>